FAQ | Catering in the Netherlands
General
What is ChefSmaak?
At ChefSmaak, everything revolves around flavour, quality, and convenience.
Our mission is simple: to find the perfect catering solution that fits your needs.
Whether it’s a corporate event, reception, or private celebration, we deliver high-quality catering at fair prices.
In our online shop, you can easily create your own buffet or menu with just a few clicks, choosing from a wide variety of delicious dishes.
Our experienced customer service team is happy to provide personal advice and answer any questions you may have, ensuring your event is a guaranteed success.
How does ChefSmaak work?
Whether it is for a business event or a private celebration, ordering catering has never been easier. Simply choose your favourite dishes from our menu and create your own personalised buffet. We will take care of everything else.
Up to 48 hours before your event, you can adjust the details such as the menu selection or the number of guests. You can also add tableware and cutlery or cancel your order completely. Everything is free of charge.
For which occasions can I order from ChefSmaak?
For every occasion! Chefsmaak is your reliable partner for a stress-free event planning. Whether you are hosting a business event, a private family celebration, a housewarming party or simply want to treat yourself for fun, we make sure your event becomes a true culinary highlight.
What are the advantages of ordering from ChefSmaak?
We deliver high-quality catering for every occasion at a fair price, anywhere in the Netherlands. Simply choose your favourite dishes from our menu and book online. We will take care of everything else.
Would you like to change the number of guests shortly before the event? Or did you suddenly realise you need a few more dishes? No problem at all. Our friendly customer service team is always ready to help and happy to accommodate your individual wishes and needs.
Is there a minimum order value?
ChefSmaak is happy to deliver your catering for orders starting from a minimum value of €250.
What about allergens? Are there vegan/vegetarian options?
In our online shop you will find detailed photos and descriptions of the dishes. Additionally, we label the respective allergens.
ChefSmaak also offers a selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Do I have to clean the dishes before I give them back?
No, dish cleaning is already included in our service fee.
Order
How do I order?
At ChefSmaak, you can create your own buffet or menu with just a few clicks. Choose your favourite dishes online and easily add extras such as serving trays, cutlery or drinks.
Up to 72 hours before the start of your event (until 12:00 noon, two business days before delivery), you can still make free changes to your order. You can adjust the number of guests, change dishes or even cancel your order, depending on the size of the catering.
Our friendly customer service team is always ready to answer your questions and provide personal assistance.
How do I change an order during the order process?
Desktop:
During the entire ordering process, you will find a summary of your food selection ("Your selection") on the right side of your screen. You can change this at any time. Simply click on the edit button next to starter/ main course/dessert and make your desired change.
Mobile:
During the entire ordering process, you can view your selection at any time. Simply click on "Show selection", make the desired change, done!
If you prefer to have a personal consultation, just call us and our friendly customer service will be happy to help you.
Can I make changes to my order even after I have made a booking?
Sure! Your satisfaction is our number one priority. That's why you can change your order flexibly up to 2 working days* before your event starts – 100% free of charge. That way you stay flexible, no matter what happens.
*until 12:00 p.m. two working days before delivery
Please note: You have to cancel? Depending on the size of your catering, the deadline for free cancellations free of charge may vary; for more detailed information, please refer to our terms and conditions.
How can I try the food in advance?
In order to offer you the best possible price, we unfortunately cannot offer a free tasting. We assure you, we select our local caterers according to our high quality standards, so you can be sure of good quality.
You still want to convince yourself? We recommend to pre-order a small version of our catering in advance and try it out, for example the buffet basic for only €19.90/person or our finger food basic for €11.90/person.
Where do I make special requests (e.g. food allergies)?
We will gladly take your special wishes into account. You can either specify them in the penultimate order step (5. "Delivery details") or inform our customer service up to 2 working days* before your event starts.
*until 12:00 p.m. two working days before delivery
Can I also order dishes, cutlery and service staff for my event?
With our Plates & Cutlery Set you can easily add crockery and cutlery to your order. We also provide service personnel with a minimum of four (4) hours. More hours and more people can be specified during the online ordering process according to your needs.
How far in advance should I book?
The basic rule is: The earlier you order, the better. This ensures that your desired date is guaranteed and our cooks can also plan your booking. Don't worry, you still remain flexible: Up to 2 working days* before your event begins, you can still change the details of your order (such as the choice of food or the number of people) and book extra crockery and cutlery.
*until 12:00 p.m. two working days before delivery
Please note: You have to cancel? Depending on the size of your catering, the deadline for free cancellations may vary; for more detailed information, please refer to our terms and conditions.
What cancellation options do I have? Are there any cancellation fees?
With ChefSmaak, you always stay flexible. If you ever need to cancel your order, you can of course do so. Please contact our customer service team as soon as possible. For a free cancellation, please take our cancellation deadlines into account, which depend on the size of your catering.
Please note: Depending on the size of your catering, the deadline for a free cancellation may vary. You can find more detailed information about this in our general terms and conditions.
How do I know that my order has been accepted?
You will receive a total of two e-mails from us: You will receive our confirmation of receipt directly after booking. We will then process your order internally and send you the order confirmation separately. Please note that this can take up to three days. In urgent cases and for further questions, our customer service will be happy to assist you.
I have ordered but have not yet received a confirmation e-mail.
Please check your spam folder first. It is possible that our confirmation mail has accidentally landed there. If you still haven't heard from us three days after ordering, please contact our customer service.
Payment
How can I pay for my order?
At ChefSmaak, you can easily pay for your order by credit card, iDeal, PayPal or bank transfer (prepayment).
If you choose prepayment, we kindly ask you to transfer the amount at least five days before the event.
Business customers also have the option to pay by invoice.
This way, you can always count on a safe and flexible payment experience.
My payment could not be completed. What options do I have?
If your credit card payment is declined, we ask you to either try another credit card or choose an alternative payment method. Our customer service will be happy to help you, if you have further questions.
Is the payment on ChefSmaak secure?
Of course! Your credit card details are absolutely safe with us. We work with the highest security standards to protect your data.
Do I get my money back if my order is cancelled?
If your catering has been cancelled by us, we will arrange for a refund of your paid amount within seven days.
Delivery
What happens after I have placed my order?
After placing your order, you will receive two emails from us.
First, you will get an order receipt immediately after your booking. Then, once we have processed your order internally, you will receive the final order confirmation. This may take up to three days.
Is your order urgent or do you have any questions? Our customer service team will be happy to help you.
What are the delivery charges?
For each order, we charge an additional service fee of €49.90. This includes delivery and collection of our equipment, regardless of distance or order size.
How large is the delivery area of ChefSmaak?
ChefSmaak delivers delicious catering anywhere in the Netherlands.
How is the food delivered?
Buffet Catering
Our buffets are delivered in insulated hot and cold boxes to ensure everything stays at the perfect temperature.
For example, a warm pasta buffet arrives in chafing dishes with fuel paste, while bread and salads are packed separately and ready to serve right away.
Finger Food & Appetisers
Small bites such as wraps, skewers or mini quiches are beautifully presented in catering boxes or on serving trays.
For instance, 30 pieces of finger food for a reception are delivered in compostable boxes, ready to serve immediately.
BBQ and Special Events
For larger events or BBQs, we provide all necessary equipment, including tableware, cutlery and, if desired, a chef or grill master on site.
Delivery and Setup
Our local partners deliver throughout the Netherlands. You can choose from the following options:
Delivery to your door (standard)
Setup service, where we arrange the buffet or appetisers beautifully for you
Full service with staff, ideal for corporate events or weddings
My order was not delivered/ not delivered on time/ I received the wrong dishes.
We do everything we can to ensure your catering is delivered on time. However, in rare cases, our drivers may experience unexpected delays, for example due to traffic conditions.
We kindly ask for a tolerance of about 30 minutes.
Is your delivery urgent or time-sensitive? Please contact our customer service team. We will be happy to work with you to find a suitable solution.
When will the supplied equipment be picked up again?
That is entirely up to you. We are happy to collect the chafing dishes, tableware and cutlery at a time that suits you best.
When your order is delivered, our driver will get in touch with you right away to arrange a convenient pickup date.
Do you have a specific preference or would you like everything to be collected on the same day?
Please let us know in the “Special requests” field when placing your order.
This way, we can ensure a smooth and worry-free experience together.
How do I give feedback after my order?
Thank you very much for taking the time to review our service.
Your feedback is extremely valuable to us, as it helps us improve our processes and continuously enhance our service.
After your order has been completed, you will receive an email inviting you to share your experience with ChefSmaak.
You can also leave us a review on Google, we truly appreciate it.
ChefSmaak is always moving forward to make things even better.
Quality
How much catering is delivered per guest?
We know that the amount of catering you need depends on the type of event. For a business meeting, you’ll probably need less than for a company anniversary or a family celebration.
That’s why you can choose from our predefined packages: Basic, Classic, or Premium or order a la carte to create your own perfect combination.
Need help choosing the right buffet? We’re happy to help!
How many finger food items do I receive per package?
With our finger food menus each guest receives at least one piece of each variation.
How many finger food items should be planned per guest?
Well, that depends on how you’d like to serve your finger food buffet — as a starter, main course, snack, or dessert.
For starters or snacks, we recommend 4–5 pieces per guest.
For a main course, plan 5–7 portions per person.
For dessert, about 2–3 pieces of our delicious treats are just right.
Would you like your finger food buffet to cover starters, main course, and dessert?
Then plan for 11–15 variations per guest to create a full, flavourful experience!
Will my catering look exactly like the pictures?
Our photos show serving suggestions, so your catering might look slightly different here and there. We work closely with our catering partners to ensure consistent quality.
But every now and then, a chef might add an extra basil leaf, just for presentation.
We hope you won’t hold it against us (or the chef)
What does catering "a la carte" mean? What is the difference to the other catering packages?
With our "a la carte" packages, you are free to choose your dishes from the entire range of our menu and you are also able to determine the quantity of all dishes. With our buffet, finger food and roasted pig packages, the quantity is already predetermined. Depending on the package, however, you can choose from a bigger variety of dishes.
How long does the delivered food stay fresh?
Your catering is freshly prepared for your order and should ideally be consumed on the day of delivery.
Legal information
How safe is my data with ChefSmaak?
ChefSmaak is certified by Trusted Shops.
This certification confirms our identity and reliability.
Your security is very important to us. That is why all your customer and order data is transmitted securely using SSL encryption.
For more information about how we protect your data, please see our privacy policy.
Where can I find the general terms and conditions?
Please find our general terms and conditions here.
Why does ChefSmaak use cookies?
We use cookies to enhance your online experience on our website. Cookies enable our website and our services to remember your preferences so that you do not have to re-enter them each time you visit our website (e.g. personal data, font size, etc.) You can determine or influence the use of cookies yourself in your browser settings.
Customer service
How can I contact ChefSmaak's customer service?
Do you have questions or would you like personal advice?
Our ChefSmaak customer service team is happy to help — whether you have a question, need personal assistance or simply want to share something with us.
You can reach us at:
📞 +31 (0)85 2006 166
✉️ info@chefsmaak.nl
Feel free to send us an email. Please give us a little time to respond — we will get back to you as soon as possible.
